MEDICAL.
A Lover of the “G. O. P.”—The question you ask we have answered many times before. Still, as we have not yet discussed the subject in this year’s volume, we will go over the old ground again, adding a little new matter which has come to our knowledge during the past few months. The question of the causation and cure of constipation is mainly a question of diet. A few weeks ago we gave a long answer on the treatment of indigestion. Read this and follow the advice there laid down. But, besides, take plenty of green vegetables and fruit, especially before breakfast. Stewed prunes, figs, dates, tamarinds, etc., are very useful for this complaint. You should also drink a fair quantity of fluid with your meals. In indigestion we restrict fluids; but in constipation we do the reverse, unless severe indigestion is present besides. Not only is highly-digestible food not necessary in your condition, but food which is not so digestible, but which contains a quantity of non-digestible material is better. Exercise in moderation every day is essential. An active occupation is preferable to a sedentary one. Last, and least important, is the question of drugs. Never take drugs unless absolutely necessary. When you have to take them, take a pill of aloes and nux vomica, or a small dose of calomel and bicarbonate of soda. The latter, which is from physiological considerations the most reasonable drug to take, is also the most effective, the least unpleasant, and the least dangerous, but it must only be taken occasionally.
Student.—The little blisters which come out on the eyelids and produce a pricking sensation for about an hour or two and then go away, are, we think, experienced by everybody, especially after using the eyes too long or after reading too small print. Indigestion has nothing to do with them.
Edna.—You need not worry yourself about the trouble of getting the pills. These are frequently used, and most chemists keep them already made up. You cannot possibly make pills yourself without a machine. We have already published an article on blushing, where you will see that it is only in very few cases that internal medication is of any avail.
Fralda.—We are afraid that you cannot do very much for your finger. The hardness and induration left after a severe chilblain is often very difficult to remove. If the chilblain has destroyed the deeper structures, as it does sometimes when untreated, especially in persons with feeble circulations, it will leave a hard knotty scar which nothing on this earth will remove. The best thing for you to do is to massage the finger every day. This will probably reduce the swelling, even though there may be a considerable amount of scar tissue present, which latter is, of course, absolutely incurable. Always wash in warm water and clad yourself warmly in cold weather.
Mignonette.—Cascara sagrada is a comparatively new drug. It is a liquid extract made from the bark of Rhamnus Purshiana by maceration in water and alcohol. Syrup of buckthorn is a country preparation of the bark of Rhamnus Frangula. It is far less efficacious than cascara. The dose of cascara sagrada is from one-half to two teaspoonfuls. It is a useful aperient in many cases.
Afflicted.—We published an article on blushing and nervousness a short time back. Of course your heart may be diseased; but remember that very many diseases of the heart are not very serious, and if care be taken, do not in any way interfere with or limit life. There is only one form of valvular disease of the heart which ever kills suddenly. This is aortic regurgitation—a form of disease very uncommonly due to rheumatism.
Inquirer.—The public must be getting rather tired of nostrums guaranteed to “cure all diseases of the stomach, bowels, liver and kidneys.” The fact that there are some hundreds of patent preparations sold to cure everything is sufficient to prove that the “elixir of life” still remains undiscovered. That any drug will ever be discovered that will cure every disease, even of one organ, is hardly conceivable. We cannot understand how any agent could cure two diametrically opposite conditions. Do you think that millions would die of diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys, if a cure for them could be obtained for 1s. 1½d. per bottle—cure guaranteed after taking two bottles—that is, for 2s. 3d.?
Olive Mary.—1. A few weeks ago we gave a résumé of the treatment of indigestion such as you suffer from. If you read this column carefully, you cannot help finding many dozens or hundreds of answers concerning diet and digestion.—2. You will find the following very useful:—five drops of essence of ginger, and ten drops of compound tincture of cardamons in a wineglassful of water. This may be taken occasionally as required. Do not take it regularly, and leave it off as soon as you can. You will soon get the upper hand of your indigestion if you carry out our instructions carefully.
Mater.—Knock-knees are very common. They are almost invariably caused by rickets in childhood. The treatment for the condition varies with its severity. If very severe an operation may be required to straighten the legs. If slight, the deformity may often be cured by splints.
From a Male Reader.—There is nothing known which will remove hair or prevent it from growing. When we say nothing, we mean nothing which is in any way possible in your case. You can lighten the colour of your hair and so make it less noticeable with peroxide of hydrogen.
Sefton Park.—“Musical stammering” is the same affection as “writer’s cramp,” the only difference between them being due to the different purposes to which the hand is put. There is a very large number of affections of the nervous system called “habit spasms” or “occupation neuroses.” An example will illustrate the cause and treatment of all. So let us take your complaint, “musical stammering.” A pianist discovers one day that she cannot play properly, that her finger persists in striking the same note constantly. Her arm undergoes spasms which prevent her from moving her fingers over the keys. She has an attack of “musical stammering.” What is the cause of this? Well, this question cannot be directly answered. Let us see what possible factors have led up to the present outbreak. Obviously the first is her occupation. Then she has been practising very long. The five-finger exercise is monotonous. The brain, which at first gave its attention to the notes, is now fagging. The mind no longer controls the hands. The exercise ceases to be a voluntary act. It has become a series of involuntary reflexes which require little effort to continue, but a considerable amount of volition to stop. The hand becomes tired and its muscles and nerves exhausted. Now, no longer will they respond rhythmically to the stimulus of striking the finger, they undergo spasms and twitchings. It is very difficult to say which causes the spasms—the brain or the nerves of the arm. But be this as it may, it is an affection which is most difficult to eradicate. It occurs chiefly in members of neurotic families, and, occasionally, is only present when the health is impaired, but it may develop in anybody who is in perfect health. Now for a few words about the prevention and cure of “musical stammering.” Of course we cannot give you any absolute cure for the condition, and you have not been unreasonable enough to demand one. Drugs may be put out of the question as being totally useless. The same may be said of dieting. Locally, mild electrical stimulation and massage of the arms are sometimes useful. The former agent is often quite useless, and sometimes makes the condition worse; massage never does any harm. The usual treatment adopted is to give up the occupation connected with the malady and do something else. This is not always possible, and, besides, it is rather fighting shy of the evil and not treating it. The best form of treatment, we feel certain, is mild and careful exercise. For instance, in your case, practise for five minutes; if this brings on “stammering,” leave off at once; if it does not, practise for the five minutes and then leave off. You might practise twice a day. Every week you should add one minute more to the time you practise, till you have got to practise for two separate half-hours daily. The chief points to remember are these:—on the slightest return of symptoms cut down the time by two or three minutes; if the symptoms do not return, increase the time very gradually; never practise unless you can give the whole of your mind to the work—as soon as the brain begins to fag you are in danger, and even if you were not, the practising done is of no value whatever. If this form of treatment fails there is little left, except giving up music altogether, at all events for some years.